Staff Nurse

Job overview
Please note, at this stage, the role is open only to internal staff (including NHSP and Agency staff currently on placement within our organisation) and staff substantively employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB). Any individual who is at risk of redundancy will be given priority, provided they meet the essential criteria.
We are looking for a Band 5 Staff Nurse to join our busy team at Bridge House, based in Maidstone.
You will be required to be the Nurse In Charge of a stand-alone 9 bedded Inpatient Detoxification Unit, coordinating the running of the unit, admissions and discharges, working alongside support workers. You will be responsible for the safety of highly complex patients undergoing alcohol, opiate and other substance withdrawals.
The client group has an extensive history of trauma and require psychosocial interventions such as group therapy, which you will be expected to facilitate.
This position requires a passionate and enthusiastic registered nurse with a minimum of 18months post-registered experience and a passion for working in addiction services. Please be advised that this position is not open to those registered nurses who have recently qualified and require a period of preceptorship

Main duties of the job

• Giving medication, assessing and treating acute withdrawal symptoms
• Assessing and treating physical health needs
• Using recognised assessment tools to inform care
• Facilitating recovery focussed group sessions
• Coordinating support workers and delegation of tasks
• Completing admission and discharge processes
• Have an understanding of relapse prevention strategies and signposting
• Providing supervision for support workers
• PA/PS for students

Working for our organisation
We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.
Our vision is simple: We are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. And everything we do is guided by our values caring, inclusive, curious and confident.
Join us - if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's doing well together.
Take a look at our Community Nursing Video

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Staff Nurse at Bridge House inpatient detoxification unit plays a vital role in delivering safe, compassionate care to individuals undergoing substance and alcohol withdrawal.
The role includes clinical assessment, medication administration, risk management, and therapeutic engagement, all aligned with NICE guidelines.
Working closely with a multidisciplinary team, the nurse supports recovery through structured interventions and emotional support. Their contribution enhances service quality, promotes patient safety, and strengthens team cohesion-ensuring a responsive, person-centred environment that empowers clients and upholds the organisation's commitment to excellence in addiction care.
Please see the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities of the role.

Person specification

Training, Qualifications and Registration

Essential criteria

• RMN or RN
• Qualified Practice Assessor (or working towards becoming a Practice Assessor if still in the first year of registration)
• Evidence of training/further study/or prepared to within the addiction speciality
• minimum of 18months post registered experience

Desirable criteria

• Group work training completed
• Motivational interviewing
• Counselling/counselling skills

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in Mental Health and detox settings
• Experience of working with people in active addiction
• Clinical assessment of alcohol, opiate and other substance withdrawals
• Recognising and managing deteriorating physical health
• Experience in managing withdrawal seizures

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working collaboratively with external agencies
• Experience with wound care
• Previous experience of working within the NHS
• Experience of psychotherapies, counselling, group facilitation or motivational interviewing

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of assessment tools used to assess withdrawals from alcohol and substances and how to apply these to patient care.
• To pass medication and physical health competencies
• A comprehensive understanding and ability to apply principles of risk assessment and risk management.

Desirable criteria

• Participate in quality improvement, audits, research, etc

Important Information:
In cases where we receive a high volume of applications for a post, it may be necessary to bring the closing date forward. Please submit your completed application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Due to the high volume of applications received, it is not possible to respond individually to your application. Should you not hear from us within six weeks of the vacancy closing, please assume that your application has not been successful.

Probation Period. New employees external to the trust are subject to a six-month probationary period.
To deliver an effective service it is essential in some of our roles that you are able to travel between work bases in a timely manner.
Production of false or forged documents/qualifications in order to obtain employment is a criminal offence and will be reported to the Police.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
Certain roles are subject to criminal record checks called Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. Therefore, you will be required to submit a completed Disclosure form to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust are signed up to NHS England's Sexual Safety in Health Care Organisational Charter
The trust takes a systematic zero-tolerance approach to tackle any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours within the workplace and in our care provision. We are committed to sexual safety which encompasses prevention, support and decisive action against perpetrators. We are committed to keeping you and our patients safe.

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